Hamilton Zoo

Honoring cultural narratives from mana whenua

Sector

Shopping & showrooms

Applications

Entrance & high traffic areas, Common areas

Architect

Designwell

Photographer

Dennis Radermacher

Writer

Folio

Products used

Reco Series

Neoflex

The Reco Series rubber flooring, made from a blend of virgin and 75% recycled EPDM rubber, offers the same excellent properties as other Neoflex™ products with added environmental benefits. Available in 84 colours, it delivers durable, safe, and anti-slip performance, making it ideal for commercial spaces.

CoralTread

Advance Flooring - Entrance Matting System - Architectural

CoralTread combines style and performance in an ultra-low 10mm aluminium profile, with a choice of polyamide or recycled rubber inserts. Built for durability, it offers excellent slip resistance and efficiently removes dirt and moisture. Available in a range of anodised and powder-coated finishes, with multiple insert colour options.

THE IDEA

Creating an inviting space

‘We wanted a space where everyone can spend time and feel comfortable,’ says Alexander Wastney of interior designers Designwell. To help achieve this, they selected from Advance Flooring, Neoflex™ rubber flooring for its acoustic qualities, high slip resistance and being soft underfoot and CoralTread entrance matting for its absorbency and durability.

With a dramatic rammed earth effect feature wall, the public space houses the shared entryway, a café, retail, shop, education and office spaces. ‘We originally discussed polished concrete for the floors,’ says Wastney, ‘but we decided on something more comfortable. We looked for an innovative material, something that felt natural, and would tie into the story of the whole building.’

THE INTERIOR

Complimenting natural tones

For this, the designers selected rubber flooring from the Neoflex™ Reco Series to complement the building’s use of natural materials – rammed earth, Hinuera stone, wood panels – along with the extensive use of indoor plants, including a small tree as a centrepiece.

The highly resilient Reco Series of 100% EPDM rubber includes 75% recycled rubber and is available in over 80 colourways to suit any design palette. ‘Neoflex™ had a huge variety in colour choices,’ says Wastney. ‘We chose the fleck sandstone colour that both toned and contrasted with the rammed earth wall, oak veneer and Hinuera stone.’

THE ENTRY

Bridging exterior and interior spaces

CoralTread entry matting was selected as a transition between the exterior Hinuera stone paving and the interior.

CoralTread is a low-profile entry mat with polyamide inserts set into a stylish aluminium frame; it is designed for optimum dirt and moisture removal while maintaining its appearance under heavy traffic – and like Neoflex™ Reco Series rubber, it has excellent environmental credentials.

Alexander Wastney

Designwell

“The Neoflex™ flooring creates a cool monolithic but textured effect that complements all the other interior finishes.”